What we know about the arrests and the investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing

Three men were arrested and charged Friday in connection with the killing of a Sikh separatist activist in B.C., a crime that fractured the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada when accusations arose that one country had orchestrated the high-profile murder of the other's citizen on home soil.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in what appeared to be a highly coordinated attack as he left the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18, 2023. A Canadian citizen, Nijjar was a prominent local leader in the Khalistan movement pushing for the creation of an independent Sikh state in India.

Three alleged hitmen in their 20s, all Indian nationals who arrived in Canada several years ago, have been accused of carrying out the killing.

Here's what we know about the accused and the case.

The RCMP identified the men arrested Friday by their legal names, acknowledging they may also use shorter names or aliases:

The men are Indian nationals who had been living in Edmonton. Sources told CBC News investigators identified the three in Canada some months ago and have been keeping them under tight surveillance.

The men arrived in Canada on temporary visas, sources said, including some on student visas. None are believed to have pursued education while in Canada and none have obtained permanent residency.

RCMP said the men all arrived in the country separately between three and five years ago, but would not comment further on the suspects' immigration statuses during a news conference on Friday.

Police expect that they will be transported to B.C. by Monday.

Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters the day Nijjar was killed, sources said.

The three men each face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police believe the men plotted with others on plans to kill Nijjar, in Surrey and Edmonton between May 1, 2023 and June 18, 2023, according to court documents.

Asked by a reporter Friday whether the public should consider the men to have been "guns for hire," police said more information would come out in court.

"The evidence will show the roles these individuals played," said Supt. Mandeep Mooker, the officer in charge of the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Police also said officers are "aware" others might have played a role in the killing. RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said the incident was still "very much under active investigation."